Tassel (Samjak Norigae)
20th century
Maker Unknown
Asian Art
Women of the late Joseon wore norigae, or decorative pendants, hanging from the tie of a jacket or skirt. The norigae consisted of tassels hanging from multiple elements that would sway with the woman’s movement and sometimes make a soft jingling noise. This elaborate example has three pendant objects (samjak) that symbolize good fortune and proper wifely behavior. The miniature sword wards off evil. The gourd-shaped vase represents joy and plenty. The object with the smaller pendant elements is a wind chime/noisemaker that farmers would hang in the fields to scare away birds; it too serves to protect the wearer from harm.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Accessory
- Formatted Medium
- Enameled silver pendants with silk cords
- Locations
- Place made: Korea
- Dimensions
- Overall length: 13 3/8 in. (34 cm) Scarecrow length: 4 3/4 in. (12 cm) Gourd bottle length: 2 3/8 in. (6 cm) Sword length: 4 in. (10.2 cm)
- Departments
- Asian Art
- Accession Number
- 78.248
- Credit Line
- Gift of Jacqueline Miller Dunnington
- Exhibitions
- Arts of Korea
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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